Go anchor in behind Russell Island (at the mouth of Fulford Harbour) for your first night out. Not far from Sidney, it is usually pretty quiet and you can have a nice hike around the island.
From there we usually go to Clam Bay (East side of Thetis) and then to Nanaimo. Occasionally we go to Montague Harbour and then make the run to Nanaimo.
Pirates Cove is lovely but not our favorite if the weather is up, I've left there in a hurry after dark when unforecast Northerlies cropped up. Pirates Cove and I have an uneasy relationship.....